 David Luiz, Cássio and Paolo Guerrero (from left to right) accepting their individual awards after the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup final. | |
| Founded | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Region | International (FIFA) |
The FIFA Club World Cup is an international association football competition organised by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body.[1] The championship was first contested as the FIFA Club World Championship in 2000.[2] It was not held between 2001 and 2004 due to a combination of factors, most importantly the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner International Sport and Leisure.[3] Following a change in format which saw the FIFA Club World Championship absorb the Intercontinental Cup, it was relaunched in 2005 and took its current name the season afterwards.[4]
The current format of the tournament, in use since the competition was revamped ahead of the 2025 edition, features 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation; 12 teams from Europe, 6 from South America, 4 from Asia, 4 from Africa, 4 from North, Central America and Caribbean, 1 from Oceania, and 1 team from the host nation. The teams are drawn into eight groups of four, with each team playing three group stage matches in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, starting with the round of 16 and culminating with the final.[1]
At the end of each final tournament, several awards are attributed to the players and teams which have distinguished themselves from the rest in different aspects of the game. Spanish club Barcelona has been the only club to earn every award in one edition, a feat accomplished during the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup. Barcelona, along with Real Madrid, are also the only sides to have earned three FIFA Fair Play Trophies. Lionel Messi is also the only player to have won two Golden Ball awards. Uruguayan player Luis Suárez holds the record for the most goals scored in one edition (five in 2015).
- ^ a b "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012 – Regulations" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "Brazil 2000 Final Draw". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 October 1999. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ^ "FIFA decides to postpone 2001 Club World Championship to 2003". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 May 2001. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ^ "Toyota confirmed as FIFA Club World Championship 2005 naming partner". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 March 2005. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.